US20010019484A1 - Headlight for vehicle operating in accordance with projection principle - Google Patents
Headlight for vehicle operating in accordance with projection principle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010019484A1 US20010019484A1 US09/772,371 US77237101A US2001019484A1 US 20010019484 A1 US20010019484 A1 US 20010019484A1 US 77237101 A US77237101 A US 77237101A US 2001019484 A1 US2001019484 A1 US 2001019484A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- screen
- headlight
- light
- upper edge
- bright
- Prior art date
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- Abandoned
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- 238000012216 screening Methods 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 16
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004080 punching Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V11/00—Screens not covered by groups F21V1/00, F21V3/00, F21V7/00 or F21V9/00
- F21V11/08—Screens not covered by groups F21V1/00, F21V3/00, F21V7/00 or F21V9/00 using diaphragms containing one or more apertures
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
- F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
- F21S41/40—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades
- F21S41/43—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by screens, non-reflecting members, light-shielding members or fixed shades characterised by the shape thereof
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- F21W2102/00—Exterior vehicle lighting devices for illuminating purposes
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- F21W2102/00—Exterior vehicle lighting devices for illuminating purposes
- F21W2102/10—Arrangement or contour of the emitted light
- F21W2102/17—Arrangement or contour of the emitted light for regions other than high beam or low beam
- F21W2102/18—Arrangement or contour of the emitted light for regions other than high beam or low beam for overhead signs
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a headlight for a vehicle, which operates in accordance with a projection principle.
- Headlights of the above mentioned general type are known in the art.
- One of such headlights is disclosed for example in the German patent document DE 43 15 401 A1.
- This headlight has a light source and a reflector, with which the light emitted by the light source is reflected as a converging light beam.
- a screen is arranged in a beam path of the light beam reflected from the reflector. The screen screens a part of the light beam.
- a lens is arranged after the screen in the light outlet direction. An upper edge of the screen is projected by the lens as a bright-dark limit of the light beam exiting the headlight. The bright-dark limit prevents a blinding of the opposite traffic.
- a part of the light beam reflected by the reflector illuminates at least a region which is located at a distance above the bright-dark limit. Thereby a sufficient illumination of highly arranged traffic and information board is provided.
- a reflection element is arranged in the beam path of the light beam reflected by the reflector. It deviates a part of the light beam upwardly so that it illuminates a region above the bright-dark limit.
- the reflection element requires a higher manufacturing and mounting expenses and must be exactly adjusted to guarantee an illumination of a definite region.
- a part of the light beam reflected by the reflector is deviated upwardly which would pass over the screen and contribute to the illumination about the bright-dark limit, so that the efficiency of the headlight is worsened by the reflection element.
- German patent document DE 195 37 838 discloses a headlight operating in accordance with a projection principle. It has a screen arrangement with a stationary screen part and a movable screen part. Both screen parts have several slot-shaped openings. In a position for high beam, the openings for the stationary screen part are released by the movable screen part, so that light can pass through the screen arrangement and illuminate the regions above the bright-dark limit. In a position for low beam, the movable screen part in a position for low beam completely covers the opening of the stationary screen part, so that no light can pass through the screen arrangement. Light only can pass over the upper edge of the screen arrangement. An illumination of the definite region above the bright-dark limit is therefore not provided in this headlight.
- a headlight in which the screen has at least one opening at a defined distance under its upper edge, and a part of the light bundle reflected by the reflector passes through the opening, and at least a region above the bright-dark limit is thereby illuminated.
- the headlight is designed in accordance with the present invention, it has the advantage that the manufacturing and mounting expenses are reduced since for the illumination of the at least one region above the bright-dark limit no additional components are required.
- the at least one opening in the screen can be simultaneously adjusted in its correct position for exactly adjusting the bright-dark limit with the adjustment which is required anyway. Moreover, the efficiency of the headlight is not negatively affected, since a part of the light beam reflected by the reflector can pass through the at least one opening, which otherwise is screened by the screen, so that the efficiency is improved.
- FIG. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the headlight in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a view showing a section of the inventive headlight taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1 in accordance with the first embodiment
- FIG. 3 is a view showing a measuring screen which is arranged at a distance from the headlight in accordance with the present invention and illuminated by a light produced by the headlight of the first embodiment;
- FIG. 4 is a view showing a cross-section of the headlight taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 5 is a view showing a measuring screen illuminated by the light emitted by the headlight in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
- the headlight serves for producing a screened light beam, in particular a low beam.
- the headlight has a reflector which is identified with reference numeral 10 and has preferably an ellipsoidal or an ellipsoid-like shape.
- the reflector 10 is provided with an opening in its apex region, and a light source 14 is arranged in the opening.
- the light source 14 can be formed as an incandescent lamp or a gas discharge lamp, and is provided with a light body which is formed correspondingly as an incandescent coil or a light arc.
- the light body 16 of the light source 14 is arranged substantially in the region of an inner focal point of the reflector 10 on the optical axis 11 of the reflector 10 .
- the light emitted by the light source 14 is reflected by the reflector 10 as a converging light beam.
- a screen 18 is arranged in the beam path of the light beam reflected by the reflector 10 . It extends above the optical axis 11 .
- the screen 18 can be located for example substantially in the region of the outer focal point of the reflector 10 .
- the screen 18 can be arranged substantially in the plane of the front edge of the reflector 10 facing the light outlet direction 13 .
- the screen 18 screens a part of the light beam reflected by the reflector 10 , while the other part of the light beam passes over the screen 18 .
- the light beam which passes over the screen 18 has a bright-dark limit which is determined by the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 .
- a lens 26 is arranged after the screen 18 in the light outlet direction 13 .
- the lens 26 is formed as a collecting lens. It has an approximately flat side 26 which faces opposite to the light outlet direction 13 , and a convexly curved side 28 which faces in the light outlet direction.
- the convexly curved side 28 of the lens 26 has for example an aspherical curvature and can be subdivided into a plurality of differently curved segments.
- the lens 26 is held in a tube-shaped support element 30 in the end region facing in the light outlet direction 13 .
- the support element 30 is mounted on the reflector 10 in its edge region which faces opposite to the light outlet direction 13 , in particular on the front edge.
- the screen 18 can be mounted together with the support element 30 , on the reflector 10 .
- FIG. 2 shows the headlight in a cross-section with the screen 18 in accordance with a first embodiment.
- the shape of the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 can be seen from FIG. 2. It is also true for the subsequently described second embodiment of the screen 18 shown in FIG. 4.
- the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 has different portions 21 , 22 which meet substantially in a vertical central plane 23 which contains the optical axis 11 .
- the shown embodiments of the headlight are provided for the right side traffic so that the traffic side in front of the vehicle is right, while the counter traffic side is left.
- the portions 21 , 22 of the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 are arranged so that the bright-dark limit on the traffic light is arranged in front of the vehicle higher than on the counter traffic side.
- the portion 21 of the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 extends at least substantially horizontally and substantially at a height of a horizontal central plane 24 which contains the optical axis 11 .
- the portion 22 extends for example, starting from the vertical central plane 23 , so that it is inclined downwardly.
- the angle of inclination of the portion 22 to the horizontal central plane 24 amounts preferably to substantially 15°.
- the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 is projected through the lens 26 so that it is offset upwardly and laterally, so that the portion 21 forms a horizontal bright-dark limit portion on the opposite traffic side, and the portion 22 forms a raising bright-dark limit portion on the traffic side.
- the bright-dark limit of the light beam exiting the headlight has therefore a course which is required in accordance with European regulations.
- the portion 22 of the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 can extend at least approximately horizontally and deeper than the portion 21 .
- the both portions 21 , 22 therefore are connected with one another by a vertical or inclined intermediate portion.
- a measuring screen 80 is arranged at a distance from the headlight and illuminated by the light emitted by the headlight.
- the measuring screen 80 represents the projection of a roadway located in front of the headlight and correspondingly illuminated by the headlight.
- the horizontal central plane of the measuring screen 80 is identified as HH while the vertical central plane is identified with VV.
- the horizontal central plane HH and the vertical central plane VV intersect in a point HV.
- the light which is reflected by the reflector 10 passes over the screen 18 , passes through the lens 26 exits the headlight, and illuminates a region 82 on the measuring screen 80 .
- the region 82 is limited from above by the bright-dark limit, which is produced by the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 .
- the bright-dark limit has a horizontal portion 83 on the counter traffic side, which is produced by the portion 21 of the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 .
- the bright-dark limit has a raising portion 84 which is produced by the portion 22 of the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 .
- the distribution of the illumination intensities in the region 82 is identified with several lines 85 which have the same illumination intensities.
- the highest illumination intensities are provided in a zone 86 located closely under the bright-dark limit 83 , 84 and substantially right of the vertical central plane VV.
- the measuring screen 80 is not illuminated by the light passing on the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 or is illuminated only poorly.
- the sharpness of the projection of the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 as the bright-dark limit 83 , 84 is dependent on the projection properties of the lens 26 . It is advantageous when the bright-dark limit 83 , 84 is produced with a certain unsharpness, to avoid too high contrast which can be disturbing.
- the screen 18 has at least one opening under its upper edge 20 , through which the light reflected by the reflector 10 can pass.
- FIG. 2 the screen 18 is shown in accordance with a first embodiment.
- an opening 40 is provided, which is formed as a slot.
- the extension of the opening 40 in a substantially horizontal direction is therefore greater than in the vertical direction.
- the longitudinal extension of the opening 40 is at least approximately parallel to the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 , so that the distance d of the upper edge of the opening 40 from the upper edge 20 is at least approximately constant.
- the extension of the opening 40 in the vertical direction is at least approximately constant.
- the opening 40 has, in correspondence with the portions 21 , 22 of the upper edge 20 , a substantially horizontal portion and an inclined portion.
- the opening 40 is formed in a central region of the screen 18 at both sides of the vertical central plane 23 .
- the extension of the opening 40 at both sides of the central plane 23 is substantially equal or can be different.
- the distance d of the upper edge of the opening 40 from the upper edge 20 from the screen 18 is preferably selected in dependence on the focal length f of the lens 26 , so that d is approximately 0.02-0.05, in particular at least approximately 0.035 times the focal length f.
- the distance d is measured perpendicularly to the corresponding portion 21 , 22 of the upper edge 20 .
- the light which is reflected by the reflector 10 passes through the opening 40 of the screen 18 and the lens 26 , exits the headlight, and illuminates a region 88 on the measuring screen 80 shown in FIG. 3.
- the shape of the region 88 corresponds to the shape of the opening 40 so that the region 88 extends approximately parallel to the portions 83 , 84 of the bright-dark limit.
- the distance h of the region 88 from the portions 83 , 84 of the bright-dark limit is determined by the distance d of the opening 40 of the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 .
- the distance h between the region 88 and the portions 83 , 84 of the bright-dark limit it is guaranteed that directly above the bright-dark limit no illumination or an illumination with a very low illumination intensity is provided, and a blinding of the opposite traffic participant is reliably prevented.
- traffic or information boards arranged at a great height and located in the region 88 are sufficiently eliminated.
- the dimensions and the shape of the region 88 can be varied by the corresponding selection of the dimensions and the shape of the opening 40 in the screen 18 .
- FIG. 4 shows the screen 18 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
- the screen 18 as the first embodiment has an upper edge 20 with the portion 21 and 22 .
- the screen 18 is provided with a plurality of openings 42 which are located above its upper edge 20 . They are distributed along a line which extends substantially parallel to the portion 21 , 22 of the upper edge 20 .
- the openings can be formed for example as round openings or can have any cross sectional shape. They can be produced for example by punching of the screen 18 .
- three openings 42 are provided.
- a central opening 42 is arranged substantially in the region of the vertical plane 23 , while both other openings 42 are arranged at the same distance from the central plane 23 .
- the distance d between the upper edges of the openings 42 and the portions 21 , 22 of the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 amounts, as in the first embodiment, preferably to substantially 0.02-0.05 times, in particular at least approximately 0.035 times of the focal length f of the lens 26 .
- FIG. 5 shows the measuring screen which is illuminated by the light emitted by the headlight with the screen 18 in accordance with the second embodiment.
- the light which is reflected by the reflector 10 passes over the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 , passes through the lens 26 , exits the headlight and also illuminates the region 82 which is limited from above by the bright-dark limit 83 , 84 .
- the light which passes through the opening 42 of the screen 18 and the lens 26 illuminates the regions 90 of the measuring screen 80 .
- the shape and position of the region 90 corresponds to the shape and position of the openings 42 of the screen 18 , so that the regions 90 are distributed at least approximately along the portions 83 , 84 of the bright-dark limit.
- the distance h of the region 90 from the portion 83 , 84 of the bright-dark limit is determined by the distance d of the openings 42 from the upper edge 20 of the screen 18 . Because of the distance h between the regions 90 and the portions 83 , 84 of the bright-dark limit, it is guaranteed that directly above the bright-dark limit, no illumination is provided or an illumination with a very low illumination intensity is provided, and a blending of the opposite traffic participant is reliably prevented. However traffic or information boards arranged at a great height and located in the region 90 are sufficiently illuminated.
- the dimension, shape and position of the region 90 can be varied by the corresponding selection of the dimension, shape and position of the openings 42 of the screen 18 .
- the screen 18 can have a plurality of openings which are located in a region at a distance from the upper edge 20 , for example in form of a perforation. Additionally, to the above shown embodiments of the screen 18 with the openings 40 or the openings 42 , also further features for illumination of the measuring screen 80 above the bright-dark limit 83 , 84 can be provided.
Abstract
A headlight for a vehicle operating in accordance with the projection principle has a light source, a reflector which reflects light emitted by the light source as a converging light beam, a screen arranged in a beam path of the light beam reflected by the reflector and screening a part of the light beam, a lens arranged after the screen in a light outlet direction for projecting an upper edge of the screen as a bright-dark limit of a light bundle exiting the headlight, so that a part of the light bundle reflected by the reflector illuminates at least a region arranged at a distance above the bright-dark limit, the screen being provided with at least one opening which is located at a defined region below the upper edge of the screen and formed so that a part of the light beam reflected by the reflector passes through the opening and illuminates at least one region above the bright-dark limit.
Description
- The present invention relates to a headlight for a vehicle, which operates in accordance with a projection principle.
- Headlights of the above mentioned general type are known in the art. One of such headlights is disclosed for example in the German patent document DE 43 15 401 A1. This headlight has a light source and a reflector, with which the light emitted by the light source is reflected as a converging light beam. A screen is arranged in a beam path of the light beam reflected from the reflector. The screen screens a part of the light beam. A lens is arranged after the screen in the light outlet direction. An upper edge of the screen is projected by the lens as a bright-dark limit of the light beam exiting the headlight. The bright-dark limit prevents a blinding of the opposite traffic. A part of the light beam reflected by the reflector illuminates at least a region which is located at a distance above the bright-dark limit. Thereby a sufficient illumination of highly arranged traffic and information board is provided. In a known headlight a reflection element is arranged in the beam path of the light beam reflected by the reflector. It deviates a part of the light beam upwardly so that it illuminates a region above the bright-dark limit. The reflection element requires a higher manufacturing and mounting expenses and must be exactly adjusted to guarantee an illumination of a definite region. Moreover, with the reflection element a part of the light beam reflected by the reflector is deviated upwardly which would pass over the screen and contribute to the illumination about the bright-dark limit, so that the efficiency of the headlight is worsened by the reflection element.
- German patent document DE 195 37 838 discloses a headlight operating in accordance with a projection principle. It has a screen arrangement with a stationary screen part and a movable screen part. Both screen parts have several slot-shaped openings. In a position for high beam, the openings for the stationary screen part are released by the movable screen part, so that light can pass through the screen arrangement and illuminate the regions above the bright-dark limit. In a position for low beam, the movable screen part in a position for low beam completely covers the opening of the stationary screen part, so that no light can pass through the screen arrangement. Light only can pass over the upper edge of the screen arrangement. An illumination of the definite region above the bright-dark limit is therefore not provided in this headlight.
- Accordingly, it is an object of present invention to provide a headlight of the above mentioned general type, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
- In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of present invention resides, briefly stated, in a headlight in which the screen has at least one opening at a defined distance under its upper edge, and a part of the light bundle reflected by the reflector passes through the opening, and at least a region above the bright-dark limit is thereby illuminated.
- When the headlight is designed in accordance with the present invention, it has the advantage that the manufacturing and mounting expenses are reduced since for the illumination of the at least one region above the bright-dark limit no additional components are required.
- The at least one opening in the screen can be simultaneously adjusted in its correct position for exactly adjusting the bright-dark limit with the adjustment which is required anyway. Moreover, the efficiency of the headlight is not negatively affected, since a part of the light beam reflected by the reflector can pass through the at least one opening, which otherwise is screened by the screen, so that the efficiency is improved.
- The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
- FIG. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the headlight in accordance with the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a view showing a section of the inventive headlight taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1 in accordance with the first embodiment;
- FIG. 3 is a view showing a measuring screen which is arranged at a distance from the headlight in accordance with the present invention and illuminated by a light produced by the headlight of the first embodiment;
- FIG. 4 is a view showing a cross-section of the headlight taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention; and
- FIG. 5 is a view showing a measuring screen illuminated by the light emitted by the headlight in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.
- A headlight for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, which is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and4 operates in accordance with a projection principles. The headlight serves for producing a screened light beam, in particular a low beam. The headlight has a reflector which is identified with
reference numeral 10 and has preferably an ellipsoidal or an ellipsoid-like shape. Thereflector 10 is provided with an opening in its apex region, and alight source 14 is arranged in the opening. Thelight source 14 can be formed as an incandescent lamp or a gas discharge lamp, and is provided with a light body which is formed correspondingly as an incandescent coil or a light arc. Thelight body 16 of thelight source 14 is arranged substantially in the region of an inner focal point of thereflector 10 on theoptical axis 11 of thereflector 10. The light emitted by thelight source 14 is reflected by thereflector 10 as a converging light beam. - A
screen 18 is arranged in the beam path of the light beam reflected by thereflector 10. It extends above theoptical axis 11. Thescreen 18 can be located for example substantially in the region of the outer focal point of thereflector 10. Thescreen 18 can be arranged substantially in the plane of the front edge of thereflector 10 facing thelight outlet direction 13. Thescreen 18 screens a part of the light beam reflected by thereflector 10, while the other part of the light beam passes over thescreen 18. The light beam which passes over thescreen 18 has a bright-dark limit which is determined by theupper edge 20 of thescreen 18. Alens 26 is arranged after thescreen 18 in thelight outlet direction 13. It projects theupper edge 20 of thescreen 18 as a bright-dark limit of the light beam exiting the headlight. Thelens 26 is formed as a collecting lens. It has an approximatelyflat side 26 which faces opposite to thelight outlet direction 13, and a convexlycurved side 28 which faces in the light outlet direction. The convexlycurved side 28 of thelens 26 has for example an aspherical curvature and can be subdivided into a plurality of differently curved segments. Thelens 26 is held in a tube-shaped support element 30 in the end region facing in thelight outlet direction 13. Thesupport element 30 is mounted on thereflector 10 in its edge region which faces opposite to thelight outlet direction 13, in particular on the front edge. Thescreen 18 can be mounted together with thesupport element 30, on thereflector 10. - FIG. 2 shows the headlight in a cross-section with the
screen 18 in accordance with a first embodiment. The shape of theupper edge 20 of thescreen 18 can be seen from FIG. 2. It is also true for the subsequently described second embodiment of thescreen 18 shown in FIG. 4. Theupper edge 20 of thescreen 18 hasdifferent portions central plane 23 which contains theoptical axis 11. The shown embodiments of the headlight are provided for the right side traffic so that the traffic side in front of the vehicle is right, while the counter traffic side is left. Theportions upper edge 20 of thescreen 18 are arranged so that the bright-dark limit on the traffic light is arranged in front of the vehicle higher than on the counter traffic side. For example theportion 21 of theupper edge 20 of thescreen 18 extends at least substantially horizontally and substantially at a height of a horizontalcentral plane 24 which contains theoptical axis 11. Theportion 22 extends for example, starting from the verticalcentral plane 23, so that it is inclined downwardly. The angle of inclination of theportion 22 to the horizontalcentral plane 24 amounts preferably to substantially 15°. - The
upper edge 20 of thescreen 18 is projected through thelens 26 so that it is offset upwardly and laterally, so that theportion 21 forms a horizontal bright-dark limit portion on the opposite traffic side, and theportion 22 forms a raising bright-dark limit portion on the traffic side. The bright-dark limit of the light beam exiting the headlight has therefore a course which is required in accordance with European regulations. Alternatively, theportion 22 of theupper edge 20 of thescreen 18, as shown in a broken line shown in FIG. 2, can extend at least approximately horizontally and deeper than theportion 21. The bothportions - A
measuring screen 80 is arranged at a distance from the headlight and illuminated by the light emitted by the headlight. The measuringscreen 80 represents the projection of a roadway located in front of the headlight and correspondingly illuminated by the headlight. The horizontal central plane of themeasuring screen 80 is identified as HH while the vertical central plane is identified with VV. The horizontal central plane HH and the vertical central plane VV intersect in a point HV. The light which is reflected by thereflector 10, passes over thescreen 18, passes through thelens 26 exits the headlight, and illuminates aregion 82 on themeasuring screen 80. Theregion 82 is limited from above by the bright-dark limit, which is produced by theupper edge 20 of thescreen 18. The bright-dark limit has ahorizontal portion 83 on the counter traffic side, which is produced by theportion 21 of theupper edge 20 of thescreen 18. At the traffic side, the bright-dark limit has a raisingportion 84 which is produced by theportion 22 of theupper edge 20 of thescreen 18. - The distribution of the illumination intensities in the
region 82 is identified withseveral lines 85 which have the same illumination intensities. In theregion 82 the highest illumination intensities are provided in azone 86 located closely under the bright-dark limit dark limit measuring screen 80 is not illuminated by the light passing on theupper edge 20 of thescreen 18 or is illuminated only poorly. The sharpness of the projection of theupper edge 20 of thescreen 18 as the bright-dark limit lens 26. It is advantageous when the bright-dark limit - In order to provide a sufficient illumination above the bright-
dark limit screen 18 has at least one opening under itsupper edge 20, through which the light reflected by thereflector 10 can pass. In FIG. 2 thescreen 18 is shown in accordance with a first embodiment. Here anopening 40 is provided, which is formed as a slot. The extension of theopening 40 in a substantially horizontal direction is therefore greater than in the vertical direction. The longitudinal extension of theopening 40 is at least approximately parallel to theupper edge 20 of thescreen 18, so that the distance d of the upper edge of the opening 40 from theupper edge 20 is at least approximately constant. The extension of theopening 40 in the vertical direction is at least approximately constant. Theopening 40 has, in correspondence with theportions upper edge 20, a substantially horizontal portion and an inclined portion. Theopening 40 is formed in a central region of thescreen 18 at both sides of the verticalcentral plane 23. The extension of theopening 40 at both sides of thecentral plane 23 is substantially equal or can be different. The distance d of the upper edge of the opening 40 from theupper edge 20 from thescreen 18 is preferably selected in dependence on the focal length f of thelens 26, so that d is approximately 0.02-0.05, in particular at least approximately 0.035 times the focal length f. The distance d is measured perpendicularly to the correspondingportion upper edge 20. - The light which is reflected by the
reflector 10 passes through theopening 40 of thescreen 18 and thelens 26, exits the headlight, and illuminates aregion 88 on themeasuring screen 80 shown in FIG. 3. The shape of theregion 88 corresponds to the shape of theopening 40 so that theregion 88 extends approximately parallel to theportions region 88 from theportions opening 40 of theupper edge 20 of thescreen 18. Because of the distance h between theregion 88 and theportions region 88 are sufficiently eliminated. The dimensions and the shape of theregion 88 can be varied by the corresponding selection of the dimensions and the shape of theopening 40 in thescreen 18. - FIG. 4 shows the
screen 18 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. Thescreen 18 as the first embodiment, has anupper edge 20 with theportion screen 18 is provided with a plurality ofopenings 42 which are located above itsupper edge 20. They are distributed along a line which extends substantially parallel to theportion upper edge 20. The openings can be formed for example as round openings or can have any cross sectional shape. They can be produced for example by punching of thescreen 18. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, threeopenings 42 are provided. Acentral opening 42 is arranged substantially in the region of thevertical plane 23, while bothother openings 42 are arranged at the same distance from thecentral plane 23. The distance d between the upper edges of theopenings 42 and theportions upper edge 20 of thescreen 18 amounts, as in the first embodiment, preferably to substantially 0.02-0.05 times, in particular at least approximately 0.035 times of the focal length f of thelens 26. - FIG. 5 shows the measuring screen which is illuminated by the light emitted by the headlight with the
screen 18 in accordance with the second embodiment. The light which is reflected by thereflector 10, passes over theupper edge 20 of thescreen 18, passes through thelens 26, exits the headlight and also illuminates theregion 82 which is limited from above by the bright-dark limit opening 42 of thescreen 18 and thelens 26 illuminates theregions 90 of themeasuring screen 80. The shape and position of theregion 90 corresponds to the shape and position of theopenings 42 of thescreen 18, so that theregions 90 are distributed at least approximately along theportions region 90 from theportion openings 42 from theupper edge 20 of thescreen 18. Because of the distance h between theregions 90 and theportions region 90 are sufficiently illuminated. The dimension, shape and position of theregion 90 can be varied by the corresponding selection of the dimension, shape and position of theopenings 42 of thescreen 18. - In accordance with the present invention it can be also provided that the
screen 18 can have a plurality of openings which are located in a region at a distance from theupper edge 20, for example in form of a perforation. Additionally, to the above shown embodiments of thescreen 18 with theopenings 40 or theopenings 42, also further features for illumination of themeasuring screen 80 above the bright-dark limit - It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.
- While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in Headlight for Vehicle Operating in Accordance with Projection Principle, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
- Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
Claims (5)
1. A headlight for a vehicle operating in accordance with the projection principle, comprising a light source; a reflector which reflects light emitted by said light source as a converging light beam; a screen arranged in a beam path of the light beam reflected by said reflector and screening a part of the light beam; a lens arranged after said screen in a light outlet direction for projecting an upper edge of said screen as a bright-dark limit of a light bundle exiting the headlight, so that a part of the light bundle reflected by the reflector illuminates at least a region arranged at a distance above the bright-dark limit, said screen being provided with at least one opening which is located at a defined region below said upper edge of said screen and formed so that a part of the light beam reflected by said reflector passes through said opening and illuminates at least one region above the bright-dark limit.
2. A headlight as defined in , wherein said at least one opening is slot-shaped and extends at least substantially parallel to said upper edge of said screen.
claim 1
3. A headlight as defined in , wherein said screen is provided with a plurality of said openings, which are arranged along a line extending at least substantially parallel to said upper edge of said screen.
claim 1
4. A headlight as defined in , wherein a distance from said at least one opening from said upper edge of said screen perpendicular to said upper edge amounts to substantially 0.02-0.05 of a focal length of said lens.
claim 1
5. A headlight as defined in , wherein said distance amounts to substantially 0.035 of the focal length of said lens.
claim 1
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE10004701A DE10004701A1 (en) | 2000-02-03 | 2000-02-03 | Headlights for vehicles according to the projection principle |
DE10004701.7 | 2000-02-03 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010019484A1 true US20010019484A1 (en) | 2001-09-06 |
Family
ID=7629676
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/772,371 Abandoned US20010019484A1 (en) | 2000-02-03 | 2001-01-30 | Headlight for vehicle operating in accordance with projection principle |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20010019484A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE10004701A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030189840A1 (en) * | 2002-04-08 | 2003-10-09 | Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Vehicular headlamp |
US20050018443A1 (en) * | 2003-07-24 | 2005-01-27 | Hironori Tsukamoto | Lamp unit for forming a cut-off line and vehicular headlamp using the same |
US20050152151A1 (en) * | 2004-01-14 | 2005-07-14 | Guide Corporation | Adverse weather automatic sign light shield |
US20050162856A1 (en) * | 2004-01-28 | 2005-07-28 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for adjusting visibility of vehicle |
JP2013054902A (en) * | 2011-09-05 | 2013-03-21 | Stanley Electric Co Ltd | Vehicle headlamp |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2066965A1 (en) | 2006-09-13 | 2009-06-10 | Philips Intellectual Property & Standards GmbH | Lamp for motor vehicles |
DE102010035767A1 (en) * | 2010-08-20 | 2012-02-23 | Automotive Lighting Reutlingen Gmbh | Projection headlamps with deliberately attenuated light intensity gradients at the cut-off line |
AT514161B1 (en) * | 2013-04-09 | 2016-05-15 | Zizala Lichtsysteme Gmbh | Light unit with aperture with at least one light window |
-
2000
- 2000-02-03 DE DE10004701A patent/DE10004701A1/en not_active Ceased
-
2001
- 2001-01-30 US US09/772,371 patent/US20010019484A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030189840A1 (en) * | 2002-04-08 | 2003-10-09 | Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Vehicular headlamp |
US6736533B2 (en) * | 2002-04-08 | 2004-05-18 | Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Vehicular headlamp |
US20050018443A1 (en) * | 2003-07-24 | 2005-01-27 | Hironori Tsukamoto | Lamp unit for forming a cut-off line and vehicular headlamp using the same |
US20050152151A1 (en) * | 2004-01-14 | 2005-07-14 | Guide Corporation | Adverse weather automatic sign light shield |
US20050162856A1 (en) * | 2004-01-28 | 2005-07-28 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for adjusting visibility of vehicle |
US7264386B2 (en) * | 2004-01-28 | 2007-09-04 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for adjusting visibility of vehicle |
JP2013054902A (en) * | 2011-09-05 | 2013-03-21 | Stanley Electric Co Ltd | Vehicle headlamp |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE10004701A1 (en) | 2001-08-09 |
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Legal Events
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---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SCHAUWECKER, FRIEDRICH;OSCHMANN, HORST;STEPHAN, HARTMUT;REEL/FRAME:011737/0675;SIGNING DATES FROM 20010209 TO 20010221 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |